Casco Bay from North Loop Trail, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
For good reason, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park is a popular year-round destination for both Mainers and visitors. Close to the shopping mecca of Freeport and L.L. Bean's adventure excursion launchpads, the state park can sometimes become crowded with people seeking an accessible outdoors spot (it's listed as #1 of 21 things to do in Freeport by TripAdvisor). There are, however, quiet parts of this over 200-acre coastal sanctuary. A detailed map and description can be found in the worthwhile Falcon Guides' Hiking Maine, or free, along with a calendar of activities, on the Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park website. Entry to the park, which is open for day use, is $4 for Maine residents (free for veterans). Dogs must be leashed, and owners must pick up after their pets. No bicycles are allowed on the Wolfe's Neck hiking trails. Restrooms are located near the parking area, and picnic areas are interspersed through the park nearby.
Googins Island from shore by Casco Bay Trail, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
On a busy weekend at the beginning of July, we used the White Pines Trail, North Loop Trail, Casco Bay Trail, and Harraseeket Trail to make an easy 3 mile perimeter loop, taking about an hour and a half to enjoy, and as usual, navigating using the AllTrails app. As soon as we left the parking area via the White Pines Trail, we began to hear a variety of birds, including red-eyed vireo, dark-eyed junco, black-throated green warbler, and inland, a broad-winged hawk. On the shoreline, we heard and saw osprey, including one returning to the treeline with a large fish. Further along, on the Harraseeket Trail, we heard the distinctive song of a hermit thrush, chipping sparrows, blackburnian warbler, and a blue-headed vireo.
Casco Bay view, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
We started with the North Loop Trail, which touches upon adjoining pastureland. The variety of flora was amazing throughout the hike, chock-full of wildflowers and ferns. The North Loop Trail overlooks a salt marsh, where at low tide, we saw several clammers. We returned to the White Pines Trail, which is stroller and wheelchair-accessible, hugging the shore in the most densely trafficked section of the park. Here there were dogs and kids, and people lounging in hammocks by picnic areas. One downside to this section of the trail was a series of placards containing reproductions of paintings. Art is wonderful, but I can't fathom who would greenlight this project, erecting paintings to compete with wild views of Casco Bay. A series of steps led down to the marshy flats at low tide, and children with muddy feet dutifully trudged up the stairs from clamming and tidepool adventures.
Casco Bay view, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, Freeport, ME
Continuing south along the White Pines Trail, we reached the Casco Bay Trail, with its rocky tidepools and views of the osprey nesting site of Googins Island and beyond. The Casco Bay Trail gives way to the Harraseeket Trail, the only real elevation on this hike coming in the climb over the small ridge leading down to Wolf Neck Road, where we crossed and headed to the west side of the trail overlooking the Harraseeket River. This portion of the hike, while missing the cool sea breezes, was substantially less crowded, with excellent viewpoints over the river. Here, we saw a garter snake sunning itself, and a perfectly camouflaged toad, which revealed itself only by jumping. The only hiccup was a large group of people loudly walking toward the shoreline, with a bluetooth speaker blaring music.
Harraseeket Trail, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, Freeport, ME
We headed back east on the Harraseeket Trail, again passing over Wolf Neck Road, and continuing through the quiet woods, crossing low areas via plank bridges, until turning left on the Old Woods Road Trail to return to the parking area. The trail network is simple, but has "escape hatches," throughout, allowing hikers to bail out if plans change due to irate kids, dehydration, bugs, or any other calamities. Families can thus create a progressive hike, with distance added or subtracted, based upon the situation. Camping is also available at the nearby Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment. Upon leaving the park, we saw a line of cars at the entrance booth, awaiting our departure to be let in, and felt lucky to have been able to enjoy this place on such a busy weekend.
Harraseeket River from Harraseeket Trail, Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate Hiking in Maine blog earns from qualifying purchases.)
No comments:
Post a Comment